A group formed to provide Coventry City supporters with a direct line to the club’s boardroom has fallen into further conflict amid a flurry of resignations and accusations of bullying.

The CCFC Supporters Consultative Group (SCG) has come under fire from some fans in recent times over concerns it does not accurately reflect the concerns of supporters and that meetings often become dominated by in-fighting.

But it was thrown into further chaos as former chairman Peter Ward quit the group. He was followed out of the door by vice-chairman Sandra Garlick who was due to become the group’s next chairman and had formerly headed up the ill-fated ‘CCFC Stadium Forum’ which met to discuss plans for a new Coventry City stadium.

The resignations were revealed as the latest minutes of the SCG were posted on the club’s website.

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What did former SCG chairman Peter Ward say in his resignation letter?

“Efforts made by chairmen and club officials past and present to restore and maintain the fundamental purpose of consultation as opposed to protest, have resulted in the most personal vilifications, often in the public domain.

“The desperation of this faction, albeit a minority within the SCG, has increased of late leading to an unacceptable level of bullying because the protocol of the SCG is not aligned to their single minded, confrontational and subversive agenda.”

“Throughout the last few years I have received direct and indirect abuse from a small proportion of fellow Coventry fans, members of the Sky Blue Trust and others who have simply jumped on the bandwagon. The majority of it I have simply ignored as the childish activity it is.

“However, I can honestly say that I am truly embarrassed by the behaviour, animosity and hostility of fellow fans and organisations, some of it fuelled by those pursuing their own agendas.

“The continual barrage of harassment, bullying and vile behaviour towards myself and others is something no-one should have to tolerate, or be subjected to, and should be reported to the appropriate authorities.”

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In a statement released today it said: “The Sky Blue Trust is disappointed to read the latest minutes from the Supporters Consultative Group (SCG) meeting on November 30 which once again demonstrate how ineffective this forum has become.

“At a time when our football club faces the biggest crisis in its history we find it staggering that a large section of the meeting was devoted to attacking individuals and different supporters groups rather than serving its intended purpose, to improve the supporter experience.

“Our fans are in turmoil at the moment at the club’s tragic demise. We believe therefore that the SCG should be doing everything it can to help improve the lot of those fans rather than allowing the meeting to deteriorate into such a sorry state.

“The SCG as it stands is not fit for purpose. We therefore urge those responsible to embrace the need for change, to offer proper representation and to set aside egos and personal aspiration in putting supporters first.”

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A statement from the group, which is campaigning for Sisu to sell CCFC, read: “It is disappointing to see that, once again, the meeting was largely taken up with attacks on those supporters who dare to criticise, protest or fail to show unquestioning allegiance to Sisu, the club directors or indeed to the SCG hierarchy. It is plain to see that they and others who share their rose-tinted view of the current state of Coventry City, are very far removed in their opinions and allegiances from the overwhelming majority of Sky Blues fans.

“Mr Strange clearly has a problem with the protest activities of this Alliance and other groups with which we are associated. Yet, when we and other supporters responded to his invitation to submit questions for consideration by the SCG he sidestepped the opportunity to show that the SCG could be an effective representative body.”

It added: “If the SCG leadership and a number of its members continue to show antagonism to those who represent what the majority of supporters believe, ie that Sisu should Sell Up &amp; Go, the sole channel of communication between club and supporters will lose what little remains of its credibility.”